The family of Sgt. Paul Abel Dianda, 70, USMC/ANG (Ret), have invited the Patriot Guard Riders to be present when their hero is honored at his funeral, we will be honored to do so.
Sgt. Dianda served in the USMC during Vietnam and, upon his return home, he joined the Army National Guard during Operation Iraqi Freedom, retiring after 27 years. Unfortunately, his military records have not been located and his family members are not sure of his service position, awards or decorations. During his 27 years and beyond, Sgt. Dianda worked with the County of San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department with their Citizens On Patrol (COP), as well as volunteering at his church doing security until the date of his passing.
Sgt. Dianda was the first to step in and lend a hand to anyone that needed it. He was well loved and well respected by his entire neighborhood. One day, after returning from the grocery store, Sgt. Dianda noticed a neighborhood disturbance at the house of a family friend of many, many years. He went to help the woman and child at the house. A large man had driven onto the friends property. When the woman of the house went out to see what was happening, the man got out of the car and threatened and started to beat the woman. She was able to break away and run into the house when the man started beating the woman’s mother. Her son grabbed a bat and started to hit the intruder. The man was able to wrestle it away from the son and started beating the boy and the grandmother with the bat That's when Sgt. Dianda pulled up and ran in to help. Sgt. Dianda was able to acquire the bat and hit the man a few times, however, the man, being very large, was able to wrestle it away from him and serverly injured Sgt. Dianda. Police arrived on scene and shot and killed the perpetrator.
Sgt. Dianda leaves behind his spouse, Rosemarie; children, Cindy (USN), Jessie (USA), Mike (USA), Angelo (USA), January, and Paul; as well as Al (brother), Delores (sister), and Gino (uncle), 19 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the mortuary to the mortuary, approx 11.5 miles. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
NOTE: COVID-19 restrictions apply, masks/face coverings required/6 ft distancing required.
Time Table for Thursday, 11 Feb 2021:1200 - Stage at Arlington Mortuary, 9645 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA, 92403
https://goo.gl/maps/1ButeeoKeoF5tZWi81215 - Mission Briefing
1230 - Flag Line for dignified transfer of Hero to coach
1245 - KSU to Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA, 92504
https://goo.gl/maps/7b68sC9deiqyouEw61315 - ETA Riverside National Cemetery
1330 - KSU to assigned shelter for Flag Line, Military Honors, and services
R/C Stephen Zeeb, AKA Opie, MSgt., USAF (Ret)
SoCal PGR Ride Captainxyzeeb@gmail.com
951-587-7560
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
